Modification of LC phenotype and suppression of contact hypersensitivity response by stress

Stress is thought to exacerbate a number of diseases, some of which are skin disorders. Epidermal Langerhans' cells play a major role in cutaneous immune reactions.

The effects of two types of stress on the cutaneous immune system were to be assessed in mice.

Mice received stress by immobilization or housing at various population densities. Epidermal sheets were stained for I-A molecules (a member of class II major histocompatibility complex) and analyzed with a confocal-laser- scanning microscope. Contact hypersensitivity reaction to 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene was elicited in mouse ears.

The cell density, intensity of I-A expression, and number of dendrites were decreased as the population density increased. Elicitation of contact hypersensitivity was suppressed in mice that received either population or immobilization stress. Increased I-A expression and number of dendrites were observed in adrenalectomized compared to sham-operated mice. The population-dependent suppression of contact hypersensitivity reaction was not observed in adrenalectomized mice. After incubation with serum from mice that received either immobilization stress or population stress, the expression of I-A molecules on a XS52 Langerhans' cell-like cell line was reduced.

Stress affected the cutaneous immune system. There were indications that adrenergic hormones played a role in the regulation of the system.